Light the Way Conference

I recently watched Pope Francis urge 170 world leaders at the UN, along with people everywhere, to take stronger action to stop climate change. This matters to me personally because Kiribati is my home and the people in my country are already being harmed by increased storm surges and rising sea levels.

It is heartbreaking and unfair that the people of Kiribati contribute very little to climate change but experience the greatest impacts.Time is running out for my beloved country. We have to do something... and we are going to.

On November 14, ARRCC, in partnership with many of Australia’s leading Christian NGOs, will bring hundreds of Christians together in Sydney for a one day climate justice conference called “Light The Way”.

At Light The Way, we will listen to personal stories of people already impacted by climate change, learn about the latest climate science, and explore the theology of climate justice.

The conference will give us an opportunity to build relationships and receive necessary strategic training so that, on November 29 - the eve of the UN climate meeting in Paris - as millions of people around the world come together in the largest climate mobilisation in history, we will see a beautiful, strong turn out of people of faith walking and praying.

The Paris meeting is a historic chance to secure a stronger global agreement. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull knows stronger action from Australia is needed - it's up to all of us to give him the mandate to act boldly. As someone who believes that faith compels us to seek justice, I invite you to come to Light The Way. We can't do this without you - will you stand with me and the people of Kiribati?

Kiribati is one of the poorest countries on earth, but because the people are so communal, there are no street–people or beggars. Everybody shares and helps each other. This is one of the reasons why I love my country.It is my prayer that, as people of faith, we can similarly all work together to care for the earth, along with all the creatures and human beings God has created. My dear friend, this is an ‘all-in’ moment. Can I count on you to be at Light The Way?